On Friday morning, the Israeli cabinet officially approved US President Donald Trump’s proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza, coupled with the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas. This decision followed intense negotiations that took place on Thursday at the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
In a brief announcement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the Cabinet endorsed the “outline” of the deal concerning the hostages, while remaining silent on some of the plan’s more contentious aspects.
An anonymous Israeli official indicated that the ceasefire is expected to take effect immediately after receiving government endorsement. The Israeli military is now tasked with withdrawing its forces to a pre-agreed line within a 24-hour timeframe.
Timeline for Hostage Release and Ceasefire Implementation
According to statements from the Israeli government, once the initial 24-hour retreat period concludes, a subsequent 72-hour window will commence, during which all of Israel’s remaining hostages will be released systematically.
While the ceasefire plan offers a glimmer of hope, numerous questions remain unresolved. Key concerns include the potential disarmament of Hamas and the future governance of Gaza.
The ongoing conflict has had devastating consequences, resulting in the deaths of over 67,000 Palestinians, the destruction of significant portions of the enclave, and severe famine conditions that persist across various regions.
As the Israeli Cabinet convened to vote, airstrikes on Gaza continued unabated. Reports emerged of explosions in northern Gaza, with an attack on a building in Gaza City resulting in at least two fatalities and over 40 individuals trapped under debris, according to the Palestinian Civil Defence.
Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official and chief negotiator, outlined what he described as the fundamental components of the ceasefire agreement. These include the release of approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, the reopening of the border crossing with Egypt, the provision of humanitarian aid, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
“We declare today that we have reached an agreement to end the war and the aggression against our people,” Al-Hayya stated during a televised address on Thursday evening.
International Support for Ceasefire Monitoring
To facilitate the enforcement and monitoring of the ceasefire agreement, US officials have announced plans to deploy around 200 troops to Israel. This initiative will form part of a broader international team tasked with overseeing the situation.
The US Central Command is set to establish a “civil-military coordination centre” in Israel, aimed at ensuring the smooth delivery of humanitarian aid as well as logistical and security support to the regions affected by the years-long conflict.
Additionally, it was revealed that the US military will play a crucial role in supervising the implementation of the ceasefire and assisting in the transition to civilian governance in Gaza. This announcement sheds light on various elements within the Trump administration’s 21-point peace plan.
Members of the armed forces from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates are also anticipated to join US troops, forming a multinational force that will work in coordination with Israeli defense forces. Although specifics regarding the roles of these troops remain undisclosed, US personnel are expected to contribute their expertise in areas including transportation, planning, security, logistics, and engineering.